Fort Frederick to host Civil War weekend

October 3, 2013

BIG POOL, Md. - The Civil War comes to the French & Indian War era Fort Frederick in Washington County, Md., this weekend. Troops will assemble for a living history, and tactical demonstrations.

Fort Frederick is a colonial-period fort, having been built over 250 years ago. It's one of the largest fortifications built by the English colonists in North America.

"In the Civil War, Fort Frederick was an outpost for troops guarding the C&O Canal and B&O Railroad," said park ranger Robert Study. "It was in ruins by then, but it was a windbreak for Union troops scattered on the Maryland/Virginia border."

Article Photos

Submitted photo

The Fort Frederick is shown.

Union troops fired cannon on Confederates trying to tear up the railroad at Paxton's Cut, across from the park in modern-day West Virginia.

Park ranger and Civil War living historian Robert Ambrose pitched the idea of Civil War activities a few years ago.

"This first event in 2011 commemorated the fort's 'biggest' storyline, the Christmas Day skirmish in 1861," he said. "The first year was very successful and there was interest in doing more so we planned a series of events in October each year for the remainder of the sesquicentennial, commemorating events that took place near Fort Frederick. These skirmishes and troop movements might not be on par with our neighbors at Antietam, but help tell the story of what the bulk of the war was like, which was a lot of small battles, and stories of individuals - and not huge battles and bigger heroes."

Ambrose said this year, they focus on activities of two groups: the 116th Ohio Infantry, who were stationed along the B&O Railroad near the fort, and the Maryland and Virginia Partisan Cavalry under the command of Harry Gilmor and his trusted captain Blackford.

He said on Oct. 14, 1863, 30 or 40 U.S. troops of the 116th from North Mountain went up Back Creek. Confederates (troopers from the 2nd MD Cavalry Battalion) were at Tomahawk Springs, W.Va., and skirmished with Federal troops (of 116th, 12th PA and 1st NY Cavalry). Twenty-three Confederates were captured.

He said there should be 50 to 100 reenactors participating; there will be Union infantry, Confederate partisan and infantry, a Union field hospital, and women's aid society.

"The fort is one of those hidden gems," Study said. "It is the only stone fort built by colonists that remains today. You really get a sense of what life was like at a fort during the French and Indian War, and on the frontier."

The fort is open to visitors daily from Memorial Day to Labor Day and on weekends during the off-season. Special weekday tours for educational groups during the off-season can be arranged through the park's office. Summer activities include performances by volunteer reactivated military units, guided tours, audio-visual programs and a crafts program.

On Oct. 19, the fort becomes the location for a ghost walk. Western Maryland legends and scary stories come to life as visitors walk through the supernatural night time park. The Ghost Walk program begins at 7 p.m. and all visitors who arrive and are in line by 9 p.m. will have an opportunity to experience the walk.

There is a service charge for this weekend of $3 per vehicle for Maryland residents and $5 per vehicle for non-residents. Disabled access is available; however, officials said most of the event activities are situated on grassy areas that may present difficult rolls or walks. Dress for inclement weather or hot sunny days. Food, gift, and souvenir items will be available for sale at Captain Wort's Sutler Shop.

Fort Frederick is located off of Interstate 70, exit 12, at State Route 56, Big Pool, Md. For more information, call the park at 301-842-2155 between 8 am and 4 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekends.